Fixture changes are not always welcome for supporters, but Newcastle United could well have benefited from one.
Indeed, this season sees the return of the Tyne-Wear derby in the Premier League for the first time in nine years.
Newcastle beat Sunderland 3-0 in the FA Cup back in 2024, in what was the last meeting between the two sides but do not have a very strong record against their rivals in relatively recent years.
The idea of Eddie Howe’s side actually losing to the Black Cats – who have started the season well – is hardly worth thinking about.
With that in mind, the fact it has been moved back a day should help the Newcastle United manager.
- READ MORE: Newcastle United record vs Sunderland ahead of the first Premier League Tyne-Wear derby in a decade
New date confirmed for Sunderland vs Newcastle United
A statement on the Newcastle United official website confirmed that the derby date had been pushed back a day.
It read: “The date and time for the Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light has also been changed. That game will now kick-off at 2pm GMT on Sunday, 14th December – a day later than initially scheduled. Sky Sports will broadcast that eagerly-anticipated fixture too.”
Rather than kicking off at 3pm GMT on Saturday 13 December 2025, it has been rescheduled almost 24 hours later.
Howe will take his side to the Stadium of Light for a 2pm kick-off on Sunday 14 December, 2025.
That gives Newcastle one more day to recover following their Champions League trip to Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday 10 December, 2025.
With the fixtures set to pile thick and fast during the festive fixture schedule, that’s a big boost. Sunderland, of course, are not involved in any European competition, so already have the edge on Newcastle in terms of rest and recovery.
To be able to have an extra day to prepare for the trip to Wearside is a big positive for Newcastle during a busy part of the season.
Newcastle United will be searching for a new Mackem Slayer now
Former Newcastle striker Shola Ameobi was known as the ‘Mackem Slayer’ because of his fine record against the Black Cats.
In 16 games against them, Ameobi scored seven goals.
These days, no one in the Newcastle United squad has ever scored for them against Sunderland. Alexander Isak bagged a brace in the last meeting between the two sides but left the club in September.
Nick Woltemade is Newcastle’s new hero and would endear himself even further to the fanbase with a goal at the Stadium of Light in December.
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